Nigerian Army Removes GOC 7th Infantry Division

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chris Olukolade today, announced the removal of The GOC 7th Infantry Division Major General Ahmadu Mohammed whose men revolted yesterday.

The soldiers who shot sporadically at the barracks yesterday got infuriated yesterday after seeing the bodies of their fellow soldiers who were killed in an ambush by the Boko Haram insurgents.

They complained of poor conditions and lack of ammunition to face the insurgents who were heavily armed.

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NEWS: Soldiers Revolt In Maiduguri Over Lack Of Ammunition And Poor Condition

Angry soldiers from the newly formed 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri today May 14th revolted against their General Officer Commanding, Major General Abubakar Mohammed, shooting sporadically in the Maimalari barracks, which is also home to the Artillery Corps, the Ordinance, as well as army signals in Maiduguri, Sahara Reporters reports

According to two soldiers who spoke with SR, emotions ran high when they saw the bodies of their colleagues ambushed and killed by Boko Haram men in Chibok, Borno state. The angry soldiers immediately started shooting into the air, complaining that their superior have failed to provide them with adequate weaponry with which to fight the war against the better-armed Boko Haram militants.

"We the soldiers don’t have the kind of arms and ammunition that [Boko Haram] fighters have. So everyday, they kill our men anyhow, but it is never published in the media,” said one source. The other source also complained that the commanding officers “are too busy ‘eating’ money. And they do not pay our allowances on time. And once [a soldier dies], nobody knows what happens to his allowances again."

General Mohammed was immediately whisked out of the barracks to an unknown destination.


Source: LIB

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BREAKING NEWS: ASUU Postpones NEC Meeting To January 15, 2014 Over Death Of Former President

As expected, the death of one time ASUU president Prof. Festus Iyayi has paused the decision making process. Iyayi who before his death was the Head of the department of Business Administration, University of Benin and also one of negotiating team of ASUU.

It was reported that they were on the way to Bayero University Kano, where the decision was to be taken when his vehicle and one of the vehicles in the convoy of Kogi state Governor, Captain Idris Wada (Rtd) collided.

Reporter Times gathered from a reliable source that Iyayi's death causes ASUU to postpone NEC meeting to January 15th, 2014.

Iyayi who was in company of Benin Zonal coordinator of the union, Dr. Sunny Iyalo; the National welfare officer, Dr. Ngozi Ilo and University of Benin chairman of ASUU, Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina was the only one that died as Ilo was badly injured and presently receiving treatment in Lokoja General Hospital. The remaining two only escaped with minor wounds.

Eye witnesses said this ill-fated accident happened at Banda, a village close to Lokoja and neither the government nor any of the vehicles in his convoy stopped to check what had happened.

Although the Special Adviser to Kogi State governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi denied the accusation claiming that he did not only stop at the scene but also ordered the medical personnel in the ambulance in the convoy to attend to the victims.

ReporterTimes

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BREAKING NEWS: ASUU President Dies In Ghastly Motor Accident

News reaching has it that few hours ago, the former President of ASUU, FESTUS IYAYI was involved in fatal car accident along Lokoja in Kogi and he was confirmed dead.

He was on his way to national congress of ASUU in Kano before he met his untimely death… more as the event unfolds…

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What Is The Fuss About N255 Million? - Musa Dickson Achimugu @Diqsen

Over the past few weeks, the nation's media have been awashed with stories which have come to be known as Oduahgate. Clearly, as with most things Nigerian, sides have been formed. While some people swear that Ms Stella Oduah is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria's aviation industry and that she is being victimized as a result of her bold steps to correct the ills she inherited in that sector, others are determined to see her sacked for blatant corruption.

Before now, the stellar performance of Ms Stella has gained mythical proportions. Like a colossus, she seemed to have transformed the industry on a massive scale, giving teeth to the new administration of President Jonathan which was then just a few months into office. If you believe the publicity, all the airports in Nigeria now wear a new and modern look, and this is glaring for all to see – never mind that  planes have been falling off our skies. Of course, 'bad belle' people blame the recent surge in plane crashes to her ineffectiveness, when they should have seen it for what it is: an act of God.

China, having seen the good works begged Nigeria to obtain a $500 million from them as part of their contribution to this transformation. Nigeria also secured a historical BASA agreement with Israel due to her sterling performance. If you add her stunning achievement with her stunning looks, it should be enough to draw an Alexandra Burkeesque 'Hallelujah' from your lips.

Yet, those who said her airport transformation project is a ruse for monumental corruption point to the allegations of graft, over inflated contracts, allocation of funds for multiple sham contracts, awards of contract without regard to due process, nepotism, forcing operators to buy exorbitant aviation fuel from her company and failing to ensure the safety of air travellers.

Not surprising, some people, even groups have come out in stout defence of the aviation minister. True, the argument cuts across a wide spectrum, from the reasonable or persuasive, to the utterly ridiculous. While it can be argued that her revocation of the irregular concession agreements which were serving the interest of the concessionaires alone and ruining our collective patrimony have made her some powerful enemies who would think nothing of besmearing her person, it is ridiculous to bring her ethnic group into the equation as she has done. It is even more bizarre for a group to suggest that purchasing the said cars for N255 million was done to provide adequate security for our airports.

The noise and the nonsense from both sides have been too much. There are many reasons why Nigerians are angry over the reckless spending of N255 million on two cars. The propriety of acquiring such expensive gadgets has been questioned by many Nigerians, some of whom note that the official vehicle of the United States President is not as expensive as that, and that the cars could be bought for a quarter of that amount.

The morality of acquiring just two cars for N255 million in a country with a subjective poverty index of about 94%, and where students have been at home for about four months because of government's inability to honour an agreement, has been questioned. The legality of a parastatal under the ministry buying such expensive cars for the use of the minister has also been questioned.

But I ask, what is the fuss about N255 million? Why is there so much emphasis on the cost of the cars? N255 million is not even enough to feed our president for just 15 days; N255 million is not enough for our Vice President to read his newspapers; N255 million cannot maintain our presidential jets for 10 days; N255 million is not enough for our National Assembly for one day. So what is the fuss about N255 million? I think we are not asking the right questions and we are putting wrong emphasis on the cost of the cars.

I'd rather ask the following questions;

1. How much was appropriated for the purchase of operational vehicles by NCAA for 2013?
2. How many vehicles was the said sum appropriated for?
3. How much has been committed to the purchase of operational vehicles in 2013, whether by actual cash or lease financing?
4. Is there a differential between the appropriated sum and the committed sum?
5. If there is a differential, who approved it?
6. Was the person that gave such approval authorised by law and the Nigerian constitution to grant such?
7. Is there a ceiling on the maximum contract sum that can be awarded by a parastatal of government, above which permission must be sought and obtained from the Federal Executive Council before which such contract can be awarded?
8. Did NCAA at any time award a contract above this ceiling in the purchase of their operational vehicles?
9. Did they seek the permission of FEC and obtained it before they awarded those contracts?
10. Can the Minister act on behalf of FEC to approve spending above the ceiling?
11. Is it mandatory that the BPP be involved in the award of all government contracts?
12. Was the BPP involved in the purchase of the operational vehicles by NCAA?
13. Is there government approved due process in the award of contracts?
14. Did the NCAA follow due process in awarding contracts for the purchase of its operational vehicles?
15. Is it compulsory to seek and obtain permission of Security agencies before bringing in security vehicles to Nigeria?
16. Was such permission sought and obtained before the NCAA purchased the security vehicles?
17. Where are the operational vehicles purchased by NCAA?
18. Would a crime be committed if an official of government contravenes a law while acting in the 'overriding interest of the masses'?

These for me are questions we should be asking, instead of fussing over N255 million.


This piece was sent in by Musa Dickson Achimugu @Diqsen

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Return To Class, Jonathan Begs ASUU

President Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to stop being  adamant over their protracted strike and return to classrooms for the sake of the students who, he said, were the worst hit by the industrial action. He made the appeal when he commissioned the  three-storey College of Engineering Complex in the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, named after him.

Jonathan has also cautioned the union not to abuse the freedom of association and the right of workers to go on strike or even use it to the detriment of the nation, just as he noted that whatever the grievances the striking workers have, keeping students out of school for four months is quite unpatriotic. He said, "I once again appeal to the entire membership of ASUU to pause and ponder on the adverse effect of their action on the future of the vibrant youths of this great nation. The collective destiny of tens of thousands of tomorrow's leaders should not be held hostage to vagaries of labour disputes. As long as we are humans, as long as we are a developing society, this labour dispute must come up.

"I believe that labour has the right to go on strike, but in that strike, any action taken must be built on patriotic zeal. In as much as you can go on strike, you must be patriotic to our country. No matter how and what you feel about Mr. President and the federal government, I plead with ASUU that for the sake of our students, they should resume classes."
The President noted that while four months would have been enough for the striking academics to drive home their point on their grievances against government, keeping the students beyond four months which is equal to a whole semester raises suspicion of an ulterior motive on the part of the union.
He said: "If it is a genuine strike, keeping students out of classrooms for almost four months, by that they have demonstrated to everybody that they have a case. And if the strike is motivated by some other interests, they have also achieved that by keeping students out of schools for more than a semester.

"I always says that even in the developed societies, we hear about labour dispute and there is no society, even the most developed that has provided the facilities for every worker.
Our security services, the Police, the Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary, intelligent services are also operating in an environment that is not the best.
"If all of us should go on long strike because our environment is not optimum, then, definitely we can never get the Nigeria of our dream. So, let me use this unique opportunity that I am interfacing with our future leaders, our students, to plead with ASUU members to return to class."

President Jonathan promised that his administration will continue to work with all Nigerians to build a better country for all and future generation,  maintaining that as long government had shown commitment to improving the qualities of infrastructure in the universities and the operating environment, ASUU should reconsider its stance.
He argued further that if students of private universities could get their degrees within three and a half years as witnessed in ABUAD, "it is unacceptable that students of public institutions are kept for extra one or two years."
Congratulating the founder and President of ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) for building for the country such a magnificient citadel of learning, Jonathan said he was deeply humbled by the decision to name the College of Engineering of the institution building after him.

"It is often said that great minds leave great history behind them and this history is built on a very great vision. The vision of Aare Afe Babalola, founder of this promising institution is a noble one," he said.
Jonathan noted that historically, some of the greatest institutions of learning in the world were shaped by the vision, foresight and personal experience of their founders. He described Babalola as a man of "unassailable character, profound vision, an epitome of the highest ideals and a quintessential Nigerian patriot."

In his remarks, Afe Babalola, recalled that the university built some three and half years ago was worth over N60 billion in private investments and noted that with over 4000 students from 36 states of Nigeria and FCT, the institution is reputed to be the fastest growing private university in Africa.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said ABUAD is the second best private university in the country and the 14th best among all public and private universities in Nigeria, adding that his decision to invest in the education sector was informed by his firm belief that government cannot fund the sector alone.

Noting that the best universities in the world such as Oxford and Harvard are privately owned, Babalola said the naming of the College of Engineering of the institution after the president is in recognition of the immense contributions of the administration to the education sector. He also appealed to the President to intervene in the development of the Ekiti Airport, saying in-spite of the over N600 million approved by the federal government for the commencement of the project in 2011, nothing has happened at the site.

Governors who were present at the event were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and the host governor, Kayode Fayemi. Also in attendance were Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike; Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide and Sen. Phillip Aduda (PDP-FCT).

The Sun

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Armoured Car Scandal: Melaye’s Group Asks Aviation Minister To Resign Within 72hours

The group threatened to go to court.

An anti-corruption campaign organisation, Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, on Friday, gave the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, 72 hours to refund the N255 million used to purchase two armoured vehicles on her behalf by an agency under her supervision.
The group also called for the minister's resignation.
The group, which gave the ultimatum at a news conference in Abuja, warned that should the minister fail to resign, it would head for the court to compel her to do so.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, released a whopping N255 million to purchase two BMW armoured cars for Ms. Oduah, whose life, her media aide, Joe Obi, claimed was being threatened.

The ACN's Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, said the group had already instructed its legal team to study the case with a view to instituting an action against the minister.
"If it were to be during (Olusegun) Obasanjo or (Umar) Yar'Adua's administration, the minister would have been fired. We are waiting to see what the President (Goodluck Jonathan) will do, as well as the National Assembly," he said.

Mr. Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives, said the procurement of the two bullet proof cars under any guise, was an affront on university students who have been out of school for about four months due to the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
The Union, among other issues, is protesting the infrastructural decay in the nation's universities.
Mr. Melaye accused Ms. Oduah of being callous, inhuman and reprehensible.

The former lawmaker alleged that the vehicles could have been bought for the minister from the proceeds of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, or the kick-back from the ongoing rehabilitation of the airports in the country.
"No ministry or agency is allowed to spend money not appropriated. The posers we have for the minister is, was the money for the purchase of the cars budgeted for by the National Assembly? Did the Bureau of Public Enterprise clear the purchase? Or did Stella Oduah obtain certificate of no objection? These are many more posers the honourable minister should provide answers to.
"However, in the absence of satisfactory answers, what can be deduced is that, it is either the NCAA, alleged to have procured the cars, hoodwinked the public by under declaring its Internally Generated Revenue to raise the money, or the minister purchased it from the proceeds of the kick-back from the renovation of the country's airports."

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NEWS: Don’t Call Me Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces - GEJ

The presidency has ordered all government functionaries to desist from addressing President Goodluck Jonathan as the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria" at non-military functions.
The directive is contained in a strongly worded October 14 circular, No SGF/OP/1/S.3/X/664, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim Pius.
The memo was addressed to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, ministers, heads of ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals, the leadership of the National Assembly, and government-owned companies.
"It is further directed that except in purely armed forces programmes, Mr. President should not be addressed as the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," the statement warned.
"The approved designation of the President for the purposes of all official correspondence, public announcements or Communication should be "The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"I am to stress that for all official purposes, Mr. President should be addressed as follows: 'His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Mr. Anyim added, urging strict compliance to the presidential directive by all Nigerians.
It however, does not remove the fact that the president, by virtue of the constitution, is the commander of the Nigerian armed forces.
Section 130 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states: "There shall be for the Federation a President. The President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation."
Also, Section 218(1) of the constitution spells out the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation to include the power to determine the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation.
The memo did not state the reason for Mr. Jonathan's decision. But former Nigerian leaders, both military and civilian, have always been called by that title both in military and non-military programmes.
The directive also warned that Mr. Jonathan's official pictures should be used at programmes of events, invitation cards, or publications by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, as well as other government organizations and offices.
READ CIRCULAR BELOW
Ref. No. SGF/OP/1/S.3/X/664
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
The Presidency,
Shehu Shagari Complex,
Three Arms Zone,
Abuja.
14th October, 2013
Chief of Staff to the President,
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice-President,
Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State,
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,
Special Advisers/Senior Special Assistants,
Service Chiefs/Inspector-General of Police,
Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission,
Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal,
Chairman, Federal Character Commission,
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission,
Chairman, National Population Commission,
Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission,
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria,
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,
Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission,
Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments,
Clerk of the National Assembly,
Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria,
Secretary, National Judicial Council,
Auditor-General for the Federation,
Accountant-General of the Federation,
Directors-General/Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government-Owned Companies.
USE OF OFFICIAL PORTRAIT AND APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION OF THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
It has come to the attention of Mr. President that several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as other Organisations often use his unofficial pictures in programmes of events, invitation cards or publications. Mr. President has, therefore, directed that, henceforth only his official portrait should be printed in official documents or displayed in offices.
2. It is further directed that except in purely armed forces programmes, Mr. President should not be addressed as the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." The approved designation of the President for the purposes of all official correspondence, public announcements or
Communication should be "The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." I am to stress that for all official purposes, Mr. President should be addressed as follows:
"His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria"
3. You are accordingly required to bring the foregoing directives of the President to the attention of all concerned for strict compliance, please.
Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON
Secretary to the Government of the Federation

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#ASUUstrike Update: ASUU Rejects N600billion Offer From FG

ASUU has remained adamant and are maintaining that government implements the agreement they entered into with them in 2009 fully. The decision according to some quarters is political as it came during the time when government is willing and ready to keep disbursing N200 billion for the next 3 or 4 years.

More cash has been pledged for projects on the campuses aside the earned allowances due, to the teachers have been increased from the initial N30 billion offer. ASUU rejected the offer totally insisting on policy implementation claiming that they don’t trust this government.

N.B Both parties should be reminded that the strike has been on for more than four months and Nigerian students are tired of being at the receiving end… Consider that and do what is right.

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Download: ASUU-Federal Government 2009 Agreement

PREMIUM TIMES makes the much talked-about agreement public.
On the first day of July this year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, began an indefinite strike that has lasted till date and may run deep into the future.
According to the union, the strike followed government's inability to keep to an October 2009 agreement reached by both parties.
The agreement was reached after two years of negotiation between the lecturers and a government team appointed by the then Education Minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili.
The Government team was led by the then Pro-chancellor, University of Ibadan, Gamaliel Onosode while ASUU's team was led by its then president, Abdullahi Sule-Kano.
The agreement reached at the negotiations included conditions of service for university lecturers, funding of universities, university autonomy and academic freedom, and issues that required legislation to implement.
Details of that agreement were held as confidential by both ASUU and the government, leaving the public to feed on crumbs of information thrown out at negotiation meetings between the two parties.
PREMIUM TIMES has now obtained a copy of the agreement and is now making it available for public viewing.
[Download a copy here.]
The agreement
The agreement included details such as the breakdown of lecturers' salary structure, staff loans, pension, overtime, and moderation of examinations.
Part of the agreement dwelt on funding of universities where both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011 while state universities, within the same period, should receive N3.6 million per student.
The agreement also had parts that asked the re-negotiation committee to ensure that at least 26 percent of Nigeria's annual budget was allocated to education, and half of that allocation to universities.
The agreement also asked that the 2004 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Act, and the National University Commission Act 2004, be amended.
Text of the suggested amendment bills – including suggestion for amendment of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act 2004 – were provided in the agreements.
The agreement was signed by Bolanle Babalakin, the then chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities; Gamaliel Onosode, chairman of the re-negotiation committee; and Ukachukwu Awuzei, the then president of ASUU.
The agreement demanded a heavy financial commitment from the government and was an adaptation of an earlier agreement reached in 2001.
It is unclear how much of the agreement have been implemented by the government. However, the secretary to the federation, Pius Anyim, after one of the recent failed negotiations, said that most of the issues contained in the 2009 agreement, had been fully met except for the earned allowances estimated at N92 billion.
"Some of the issues which bothered on amendment of pensionable retirement age of academics in the professorial cadre, consolidated peculiar allowances (CONPUAA)- exclusively for university teaching staff, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), setting up of budget monitoring committee in all public universities have been fully implemented," he disclosed.
ASUU Chairman, Nasir Fagge, could not be reached to confirm how much of the agreement have been implemented.

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NEWS: ASUU STRIKE - FG Finally Agrees To Meet ASUU’s Demands After Over 100 Days

Towards ending the ongoing ASUU strike, the Federal Government has committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on the universities as well as on each of the next three-four years until the universities are brought to world-class standard as demanded by ASUU leadership.

This is in addition to the N100 billion dedicated and already made available…Government has also increased to N40billion as a first installment, funds for payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.

This information is contained in an internal statement at the Federal University of Otuoke by Professor Bolaji Aluko, its Vice-Chancellor.

On the earned allowances, Prof. Aluko said“Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC.”

Professor Aluko said the development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by Prof. Hamisu of ATBU and ASUU reps led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike and others.

In the interest of peace, Vice-President Sambo appealed to ASUU to call off the strike and apologized over the“take-it-or-leave-it”comments made by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:

Project Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be“rail-roaded”into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.

TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.

Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education.

In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.

Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President. ASUU leadership will now meet to decide if the government should be trusted again, this time.

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